Ah, you like my choices? I based them upon:
A. Combat effectiveness.
B. Ruggedness.
C. Reliability.

I based mine on whether subsequent designs were made after the original was made and introduced and how important the gun was for that time period. Effective, rugged and reliable designs usually get copied while poorly designed firearms do not.

How about the BAR or is that the same as the 1917 machine gun? The Bar was even the squad level light macine gun in Viet Nam.

Just like BPS standing simply for Browning pump shotgun, BAR stands for Browning automatic rifle. In addition to the military machine gun, BAR is currently just a regular 5 shot semi-auto rifle, equivilant to the Remington 7400.

The 94 was preceded (sp?) by other more significant models. Regarding shotguns, did you have one in mind? I don't know how historically significant it was, but I always very much liked the South African Striker and, also, the US version Streetsweeper shotguns. They are junkily constructed, IMO, but certainly sharp looking, and potentially very handy.

The 94 was preceded (sp?) by other more significant models. Regarding shotguns, did you have one in mind? I don't know how historically significant it was, but I always very much liked the South African Striker and, also, the US version Streetsweeper shotguns. They are junkily constructed, IMO, but certainly sharp looking, and potentially very handy.

I don't know much about the history of specific models of shotguns; as in what models were introduced in what year and what influenced what. For example, I don't even know if the Browning BPS or the Remington 870 series came first. I have an '04 Wingmaster and my dad has a '58 Wingmaster, so I know that it has been a big one in the industry for quite a while, as far as pump actions go; but there are plenty of other great ones and I'm not really sure which influenced which. Then of course there are the leading designs in break actions and semi autos as well. As far as 19th century shotguns go, I really don't know much at all in terms of which manufacturers did all the pioneering. This is why I inquired as to why they were not mentioned. I am quite curious myself.

My dad always talks about a shotgun that he saw years ago, which he isn't even sure that they make anymore. He wants one just because it would look cool above a fireplace; a Beretta 10 ga. 36" single barrel break action. All he needs before he gets that, is to build a retirement home with a fireplace.